ABOUT THE DAI-GOHONZON By Ted Morino
[Excerpted from the 9/10/99 World Tribune]
SGI President Ikeda stated: "Nothing has changed in the way we view the Dai-Gohonzon: It was inscribed by Nichiren Daishonin for the happiness of all humanity and is the basis of our faith." The SGI has always upheld the validity of the Dai-Gohonzon, even during these years when we have not been able to see it."
We should clarify what is the correct attitude toward the Dai-Gohonzon. First, the power of any Gohonzon, including the Dai-Gohonzon, can be tapped only through the power of faith. It is wrong to think that the Dai-Gohonzon alone has some kind of unique mystic power that no other Gohonzon possesses. The Dai-Gohonzon and our own Gohonzon are equal.
What is most important is the power of our faith and practice, which enables us to tap the power of the Buddha and the Law in the Dai-Gohonzon and in all other Gohonzon, and within ourselves. In this respect, the Daishonin states: "The Gohonzon is found in faith alone. As the sutra states, 'Only with faith can one enter Buddhahood'" (The Major Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 1, p. 213).
It is wrong to think that, whether we have faith in the Dai-Gohonzon or not, the Dai-Gohonzon is absolute. Faith is what matters. In this respect, President Ikeda states: "The Gohonzon enshrined at our home carries the same significance as the Dai-Gohonzon. They are as beneficial as the Dai-Gohonzon, in accord with the Buddhist principle of "dispersing the body of the original in different forms" (Jpn funjin santai).
Since the Dai-Gohonzon is made of wood, its physical longevity is naturally limited. But the essence of the Dai-Gohonzon, the Law, will never perish because it inherently exists in the universe and within each of us. President Toda used to use the expression "the Dai-Gohonzon in my home," meaning that the Gohonzon we worship at home is essentially the Dai-Gohonzon itself.
The millions of SGI members who have achieved victories in their lives have done so through their practice to their own Gohonzon. This is because we have been practicing the Daishonin's Buddha's correctly in accord with the compassionate spirit behind the Daishonin's inscription of the Dai-Gohonzon. This awareness is more important than ever today. "
why the sgi membership cannot see the constant double-speak, is testimony to the realness that having a incorrect faith and practice leads only to a deeper delusion. this delusion would be consistent from beginning to end. 3 thousand worlds.
ReplyDeleteAn assignment for investigative journalists:
ReplyDelete1) Obtain and publish SGI USA's application for religious organization status in the U.S.
2) Call out SGI-USA Generalirector, Aidin Strauss to support the *doctrine* that SGI USA claims identifies it as a separate, distinct religion.
3) GD Strauss and /or his SGI study department experts, are obligated to defend their doctrine in debate with Followers of Nichiren who refute it. Obligated to the SGI members whose $$ contributions they solicit and accept claiming to be "The One True organization that practices and propagates Nichiren Buddhism".
4) In the event that the SGI top brass feel of obligation to their members, and no show no connection to Nichiren's teachings-- meaning they show
cold indifference toward any challenge to debate the correctness of their doctrines-- Then:
5) Publish and widely publicize the refutations that have been declared by followers of Nichiren in the context of statements made by GD Strauss and/or his designated spokesmen.
Exposing the SGI as a tax evasion scam is a solid step toward removing it from the fabric of our society, in my humble opinion.
~Katie
It's not only a tax evasion scam; it's a money laundering scam. The Soka Gakkai, in Japan, purchases/rents ALL the SGI facilities in other countries - and holds the deed on those *investments*. Makes it look like there's a greater presence in those countries than there is, as most assume it's the members' contributions that are paying for it. Not so - I've asked several members from several different locations (and also asked, myself), and every single one has been told that the local organization is operating at a deficit, so all the donations are sent to the national HQ, which cuts the checks to keep the lights on. That's a helluva business model, running every franchise at a loss, isn't it? Unless it's something else, of course.
DeleteAlso, at least two properties in the US - the World Culture Center building in Santa Monica and the community center in El Paso, TX - are owned by a corporate entity called "Nichiren Shoshu Soka Gakkai of America" - to this day. Can anyone explain THAT??
oh!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, i like that!
ReplyDeletei also like it when mudpie boi talks about the gakkai shrinking. we know the shoshit might have picked 2 or 3 new members for the last 20 years.
Why are we so negative. Let the Mystic Law take its own course!!! After all the Law is absolute ...isnt it???
ReplyDeleteWould you council Nichiren similarly?
ReplyDelete